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  5. Healthy, Quick & Easy Dinner Recipes
  6. Healthy 15 Minute Dinner Recipes
  7. 25 400-Calorie Dinners in 15 Minutes

25 400-Calorie Dinners in 15 Minutes

Alex Loh
Alex Loh Reviewed by Dietitian Jessica Ball, M.S., RD March 15, 2021
Reviewed by Dietitian Jessica Ball, M.S., RD
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3-Ing-Diabetes-Lentil-Curry-Cauli-Rice
Credit: Photo by: Carolyn A. Hodges, R.D.

In just 15 minutes, you can have a healthy dinner on the table. These dinner recipes are full of nutritious vegetables and protein to keep you satisfied even when you are short on time. Recipes like Lentil Curry with Cauliflower Rice and 3-Ingredient Chicken Caesar Flatbread are flavorful and clock in at 400 calories or less per serving.

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Creamy Spinach Pasta

<p>This might be one of the creamiest light pasta dishes you've ever had! The mascarpone cheese adds a richness to the spinach pasta that's unexpected--especially in a healthy pasta recipe.</p>
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This might be one of the creamiest light pasta dishes you've ever had! The mascarpone cheese adds a richness to the spinach pasta that's unexpected--especially in a healthy pasta recipe.

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15-Minute White Bean, Kale & Kielbasa Soup

15-Minute White Bean, Kale & Kielbasa Soup
Credit: Brie Passano
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This quick soup recipe is done in only 15 minutes thanks to convenience products like frozen chopped onion and precooked kielbasa. You'll have a warming winter soup on the table in no time!

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3-Ingredient Chicken Caesar Flatbread

3-Ingredient-Diabetes-Chix-Caesar-Flatbread
Credit: Photo by: Carolyn A. Hodges, R.D.
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A frozen cauliflower-based pizza crust becomes the crispy base for this no-fuss flatbread. Pick up a Caesar-style salad kit to save yourself the hassle of needing to buy lots of other ingredients (everything's included in the kit!), and use rotisserie chicken breast to simplify prep even more.

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Lentil Curry with Cauliflower Rice

Lentil Curry with Cauliflower Rice
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Combine precooked lentils (often located in the produce section of your grocery store) with an Indian-style simmer sauce for a super-fast and flavorful curry. Serving it over riced cauliflower bumps up the vegetable count and keeps carb servings in check. This 3-ingredient dinner (not counting salt, pepper and oil) is really as easy as it gets. To be mindful of the salt, look for simmer sauces with less than or close to 350 mg sodium per ¼-cup serving.

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15-Minute Sheet-Pan Chicken Tenders & Broccoli with Everything Bagel Seasoning

15-Minute Sheet-Pan Chicken Tenders & Broccoli with Everything Bagel Seasoning
Credit: Jacob Fox
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Dinner is ready in only 15 minutes and cleanup is a breeze with these easy broiled chicken tenders coated in everything bagel seasoning with fresh broccoli on the side. The three-ingredient dipping sauce adds just a hint of sweet and spice.

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Black Bean Fajita Skillet

Black Bean Fajita Skillet
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You can often find presliced and ready-to-cook fresh vegetables in your grocer's produce section. Use these to your advantage to cut down on dinnertime prep. Here, presliced fajita vegetables are sautéed with canned black beans and Southwest seasoning for a quick and easy Tex Mex-inspired meal. Plus, this recipe requires just three ingredients, not including basics like salt, pepper and oil. You can easily take your bowl up a notch by adding some cheese, sour cream or another tasty topping.

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Butternut Squash & Cauliflower Soup with Chickpea Croutons

Butternut Squash & Cauliflower Soup with Chickpea Croutons
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Bulk up boxed butternut squash soup with frozen cauliflower florets, then top off your bowl with crispy chickpea snacks for major crunch (look for them near the dried fruit and nuts at your grocery store). This impressively easy dinner comes together with just those three ingredients, not including salt, pepper and oil. Because prepared soups are typically higher in sodium, look for light or reduced-sodium versions of your favorites.

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3-Ingredient Goat Cheese Pasta with Broccoli

3-Ingredient Goat Cheese Pasta with Broccoli
Credit: Carolyn A. Hodges, R.D.
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Swap out regular pasta for pasta made with chickpeas and you'll more than triple the fiber and double the protein in this simple, satisfying dish. Be sure to save some of the pasta water to make a sauce. Feel free to use frozen broccoli in a pinch (you can blanch the broccoli in the same water you use to cook the pasta).

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Toaster-Oven Quesadillas

<p>We love finding new ways to use our kitchen tools and appliances. These toaster-oven quesadillas with peppers and avocado are the perfect example of an unexpected toaster-oven hack we had to share.</p>
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We love finding new ways to use our kitchen tools and appliances. These toaster-oven quesadillas with peppers and avocado are the perfect example of an unexpected toaster-oven hack we had to share.

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White Bean-Sage Cauliflower Gnocchi

<p>Turn lower-carb cauliflower gnocchi into a complete and satisfying meal with this riff on classic brown butter and sage gnocchi. We added beans to amp up the fiber and protein for a fast and healthy dinner.</p>
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Turn lower-carb cauliflower gnocchi into a complete and satisfying meal with this riff on classic brown butter and sage gnocchi. We added beans to amp up the fiber and protein for a fast and healthy dinner.

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3-Ingredient Sweet Potato & Brussels Sprout Hash with Chicken Sausage

3-Ingredient Sweet Potato & Brussels Sprout Hash with Apple Chicken Sausage
Credit: Carolyn A. Hodges, R.D.
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Apple-flavored chicken sausage adds flavor and protein in this quick dinner hash that uses a bag of shaved Brussels sprouts as its hearty, high-fiber base. Steaming the cubed sweet potatoes in the microwave cuts way down on total cook time.

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Roasted Vegetable & Black Bean Tacos

<p>These hearty vegan tacos are quick and easy to make, perfect for busy weeknights. They are so tasty no one will miss the meat or dairy.</p> <p> </p>
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These hearty vegan tacos are quick and easy to make, perfect for busy weeknights. They are so tasty no one will miss the meat or dairy.

 

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3-Ingredient Green Goddess White Bean Salad

3-Ingredient Green Goddess White Bean Salad
Credit: Carolyn A. Hodges, R.D.
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Bagged salad and slaw blends are great shortcut ingredients for adding variety without needing to wash and chop lots of different vegetables. Toss a kale-and-broccoli slaw mix with canned white beans and yogurt-based green goddess dressing for a crunchy main-dish salad in minutes.

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Spinach & Egg Scramble with Raspberries

<p>This quick egg scramble with hearty bread is one of the best breakfasts for weight loss. It combines weight-loss power foods, eggs and raspberries, with filling whole-grain toast and nutrient-packed spinach. The protein and fiber help fill you up and the whole meal clocks in at just under 300 calories.</p>
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This quick egg scramble with hearty bread is one of the best breakfasts for weight loss. It combines weight-loss power foods, eggs and raspberries, with filling whole-grain toast and nutrient-packed spinach. The protein and fiber help fill you up and the whole meal clocks in at just under 300 calories.

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Quick Shrimp Puttanesca

<p>Because refrigerated fresh pasta cooks much faster than dried pasta, this Italian pasta dish will be on the table lickety-split! Puttanesca, traditionally made with tomatoes, olives, capers, anchovies and garlic, gets a makeover with shrimp for extra protein and artichoke hearts to boost the vegetable servings (and the fiber!). If you can't find frozen artichoke hearts, sub in drained canned artichoke hearts.</p>
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Because refrigerated fresh pasta cooks much faster than dried pasta, this Italian pasta dish will be on the table lickety-split! Puttanesca, traditionally made with tomatoes, olives, capers, anchovies and garlic, gets a makeover with shrimp for extra protein and artichoke hearts to boost the vegetable servings (and the fiber!). If you can't find frozen artichoke hearts, sub in drained canned artichoke hearts.

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White Bean & Veggie Salad

White Bean & Veggie Salad
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This meatless main-dish salad combines creamy, satisfying white beans and avocado. Try mixing it up with different seasonal vegetables.

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Pesto Ravioli with Spinach & Tomatoes

<p>Looking for a new way to turn a bag of frozen cheese ravioli into a satisfying and healthy dinner? This easy pasta recipe calls for just five ingredients but is loaded with fresh flavors. By using grape tomatoes, prewashed spinach and prepared pesto, we eliminate all prep work, making this 15-minute Caprese-inspired ravioli the ideal weeknight meal.</p>
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Looking for a new way to turn a bag of frozen cheese ravioli into a satisfying and healthy dinner? This easy pasta recipe calls for just five ingredients but is loaded with fresh flavors. By using grape tomatoes, prewashed spinach and prepared pesto, we eliminate all prep work, making this 15-minute Caprese-inspired ravioli the ideal weeknight meal.

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BBQ Chicken Tacos with Red Cabbage Slaw

<p>This zippy, creamy slaw is so good you might find yourself making it for other sandwiches. Still, it pairs beautifully with the tangy pulled chicken for an incredibly quick dinner you can make even on your busiest nights. To save even more time, use a preshredded coleslaw blend.</p>
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This zippy, creamy slaw is so good you might find yourself making it for other sandwiches. Still, it pairs beautifully with the tangy pulled chicken for an incredibly quick dinner you can make even on your busiest nights. To save even more time, use a preshredded coleslaw blend.

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Egg Drop Soup with Instant Noodles, Spinach & Scallions

<p>Whisking a beaten egg into simmering broth is a quick and easy way to add creaminess and protein to noodle soup mix. Add freshness with a handful of baby spinach at the end. This recipe can easily be doubled to serve 2 and use the whole package of noodles. To cut back on sodium, look for noodle varieties with less than 600 mg sodium per serving or use less of the seasoning packet.</p>
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Whisking a beaten egg into simmering broth is a quick and easy way to add creaminess and protein to noodle soup mix. Add freshness with a handful of baby spinach at the end. This recipe can easily be doubled to serve 2 and use the whole package of noodles. To cut back on sodium, look for noodle varieties with less than 600 mg sodium per serving or use less of the seasoning packet.

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Easy Shrimp Scampi with Zucchini Noodles

<p>Enjoy classic shrimp scampi lightened up with a white wine-butter sauce and zucchini noodles in place of pasta. The tomatoes add some sweetness and color, while the cheese contributes nuttiness and richness.</p>
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Enjoy classic shrimp scampi lightened up with a white wine-butter sauce and zucchini noodles in place of pasta. The tomatoes add some sweetness and color, while the cheese contributes nuttiness and richness.

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Bistro Pizza

<p>Sun-dried tomatoes, arugula and three kinds of cheese are a delightful combination in this quick-and-easy, 15-minute pizza recipe. You'll love the fried egg on top!</p>
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Sun-dried tomatoes, arugula and three kinds of cheese are a delightful combination in this quick-and-easy, 15-minute pizza recipe. You'll love the fried egg on top!

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Spinach-Artichoke-Sausage Cauliflower Gnocchi

<p>Hearty and piquant, this quick cauliflower gnocchi dinner incorporates several healthy convenience ingredients, including turkey sausage and tender artichoke hearts, so dinner is on your table fast.</p>
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Hearty and piquant, this quick cauliflower gnocchi dinner incorporates several healthy convenience ingredients, including turkey sausage and tender artichoke hearts, so dinner is on your table fast.

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Sesame Instant Ramen Noodles with Broccoli & Soft-Boiled Egg

<p>Jazz up basic ramen noodles with toasted sesame oil, quick-cooked broccoli and a jammy soft-boiled egg. To cut back on sodium, look for ramen varieties with less than 600 mg sodium per serving or use less of the seasoning packet.</p>
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Jazz up basic ramen noodles with toasted sesame oil, quick-cooked broccoli and a jammy soft-boiled egg. To cut back on sodium, look for ramen varieties with less than 600 mg sodium per serving or use less of the seasoning packet.

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Cheese Quesadillas with Peppers & Onions

<p>These 15-minute quesadillas are a notch above basic with the addition of sautéed peppers and onions. Let the kiddos load them up with the toppings at the table.</p>
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These 15-minute quesadillas are a notch above basic with the addition of sautéed peppers and onions. Let the kiddos load them up with the toppings at the table.

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Shrimp Oreganata Cauliflower Gnocchi

<p>This cauliflower gnocchi dinner is ready in just minutes on busy nights. A simple flavor-packed sauce marries the tender pasta with cooked shrimp. If you don't eat shrimp, use rotisserie chicken instead.</p>
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This cauliflower gnocchi dinner is ready in just minutes on busy nights. A simple flavor-packed sauce marries the tender pasta with cooked shrimp. If you don't eat shrimp, use rotisserie chicken instead.

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    1 of 25 Creamy Spinach Pasta
    2 of 25 15-Minute White Bean, Kale & Kielbasa Soup
    3 of 25 3-Ingredient Chicken Caesar Flatbread
    4 of 25 Lentil Curry with Cauliflower Rice
    5 of 25 15-Minute Sheet-Pan Chicken Tenders & Broccoli with Everything Bagel Seasoning
    6 of 25 Black Bean Fajita Skillet
    7 of 25 Butternut Squash & Cauliflower Soup with Chickpea Croutons
    8 of 25 3-Ingredient Goat Cheese Pasta with Broccoli
    9 of 25 Toaster-Oven Quesadillas
    10 of 25 White Bean-Sage Cauliflower Gnocchi
    11 of 25 3-Ingredient Sweet Potato & Brussels Sprout Hash with Chicken Sausage
    12 of 25 Roasted Vegetable & Black Bean Tacos
    13 of 25 3-Ingredient Green Goddess White Bean Salad
    14 of 25 Spinach & Egg Scramble with Raspberries
    15 of 25 Quick Shrimp Puttanesca
    16 of 25 White Bean & Veggie Salad
    17 of 25 Pesto Ravioli with Spinach & Tomatoes
    18 of 25 BBQ Chicken Tacos with Red Cabbage Slaw
    19 of 25 Egg Drop Soup with Instant Noodles, Spinach & Scallions
    20 of 25 Easy Shrimp Scampi with Zucchini Noodles
    21 of 25 Bistro Pizza
    22 of 25 Spinach-Artichoke-Sausage Cauliflower Gnocchi
    23 of 25 Sesame Instant Ramen Noodles with Broccoli & Soft-Boiled Egg
    24 of 25 Cheese Quesadillas with Peppers & Onions
    25 of 25 Shrimp Oreganata Cauliflower Gnocchi

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    25 400-Calorie Dinners in 15 Minutes
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